Quality of life and disability after ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy.

AIM: To examine and report the quality of life together with the level of disability of cancer patients who underwent therapeutic ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The complete files of 62 patients who underwent 66 procedures between January 1990 and November 2006 were obtained and analysed retrospectively. Data concerning postoperative complications, presence and extent of lymphoedema, physical symptoms, duration of disability, daily life and social activities were collected through a specific questionnaire and reviewed.

RESULTS

Early postoperative complications occurred in 36% of cases. Sixty-five percent of patients developed some degree of postoperative lymphoedema. Twenty patients suffered at least one episode of erysipelas. Median postoperative disability was 4 months (range 1.5 to 24 months). Among the active population, 8 patients (18%) never returned to work. Postoperative quality of life was good or very good for most patients, with acceptable limitation in daily activities.

CONCLUSION

Ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy is the only radical procedure able to provide long-term tumour control and maintain a good to very good quality of life, thus providing a real possibility of returning to work.